Storage tank assembly for bulk fat and method for using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises an enclosed tank for containing fat. The bottom wall is cone shaped and at the lower end of the cone is an outlet opening. A valve is placed in the opening to permit fluid to be added to or drained from the tank. A heater element is placed in the bottom of the tank and can be either an electrical heated element or a helical tube containing steam or hot water. A circulation system permits the removal of fat from the bottom of the tank and the recirculating of the fat to the upper portion of the tank. A valve within the recirculation system permits the fat to be pumped to a spray nozzle where it can be sprayed onto a feed mixture for animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage tank assembly for bulk fat andmethod for using same.

In the preparation of feed mixtures for livestock, farmers often find itdesirable to spray animal fat on the feed to provide higher energycontent to the feed when it is fed to the animals. This enhances theweight gain of the animals.

Fat by its nature tends to become solid at temperatures below 90 degreesFahrenheit. Therefore, it is necessary to heat the fat so that it is ina liquid state and can be sprayed on the animal feed. Ideally the fatshould be at approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit for spraying.

Considerable difficulty is encountered in attempting to heat the fat tothe desired temperature. Most heating devices are too hot and cause thefat to burn or "carmelize" and form a layer on the heating element.Sometimes fire can result. Furthermore, unless the fat is evenly heatedits quality can be reduced.

Therefore, a primary object to the present invention is the provision ofan improved storage tank assembly for bulk fat and method for using thestorage tank to heat the fat and spray the fat on the animal feeds.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a storagetank assembly which maintains the fat in a liquid state so that it isready to spray at the time the farmer needs the spray.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a storagetank assembly which includes means for recirculating the fat during thetime that it is stored.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a storagetank assembly which can easily be refilled and which can provide easyaccess to the fat for spraying on animal feeds.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a storagetank assembly and method for using same which is economical tomanufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide uniform heatingand melting of the fat.

A further object of the present invention is to eliminate the burning ofthe fat resulting from a heating element which is too hot.

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the danger offire.

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the dust whichoccurs in the feed by spraying the fat on the feed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The storage tank of the present invention includes an upstanding tankhaving a top wall, side walls, and a tapered bottom wall. The taperedbottom wall tapers downwardly to a low point in the tank, and includesan outlet opening at that lowest point. Valve means are provided in theoutlet opening for permitting fat to be added to or taken out of thetank.

A heater element is provided in the lower end of the tank, and can be anelectrical heater element or a hot water or steam coil positionedadjacent the bottom wall of the tank.

The heater of the present invention differs from prior hot water heaterelements in that it remains at a much lower temperature thanconventional hot water heater elements. A thermostat prevents the heaterfrom exceeding 300-500 degrees Fahrenheit so that the fat will not burn.If the probe were to get as hot as most water heater probes it wold burnthe fat which will then cake on the heater and cause it to ultimatelyburn out.

A recirculation system is provided which includes a first conduit incommunication with the interior of the tank adjacent the lower endthereof. The conduit is connected to a pump which in turn is connectedto a recirculation conduit extending upwardly to the upper end of thetank. When the pump is actuated it draws fat from the bottom of the tankand recirculates it to the top of the tank. The recirculation systemhelps maintain uniform heating of the fat and reduces the likelihood ofoverheating of the fat immediately adjacent the heater probe.

A removal conduit is also connected to the bottom of the tank andincludes a valve which can be opened to cause the fat to be pumpedthrough the removal conduit to a spray where it can be sprayed onto theanimal feed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tank of the present inventionshowing the spraying apparatus schematically.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail taken along line 6--6 of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing a modified form of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the tank assembly of the present invention. Assembly 10comprises a top wall 12, a circular side wall 14, and a cone shapedbottom wall 16 which define a chamber 18. Side walls 14 and top wall 12are insulated so as to minimize the escape of heat from chamber 18. Sidewalls 14 extend downwardly a substantial distance below bottom wall 16so as to support bottom wall 16 in upward spaced relation from asupporting surface, thereby creating a compartment 20 below bottom wall16.

At the lower most point of bottom wall 16 is an outlet opening 22. Thetop wall 12 of tank assembly 10 includes a vent 24 which permits theescape of gases from the upper end of chamber 18.

Referring to FIG. 3, a T-conduit 26 is threaded within outlet 22 andcontains therein a heater probe 28 having three electrical heaterelements 30 extending upwardly therefrom into the interior of chamber18. T-conduit 26 also includes a drain valve 32 therein which isnormally closed to prevent fat from draining out of the chamber 18. Acoupler 34 is connected to valve 32 and is adapted to be connected to asource of fat for filling the tank. For example, a delivery truck can beused to deliver the fat to the site of the tank, and can be coupled tocouple 34. Then valve 32 is opened and the fat can be pumped into thechamber 18 through outlet opening 22. Valve 32 can also be used to drainthe contents from tank 18.

Heater probe 28 is preferably a 3,000 watt heater which normally reachesa maximum temperature of approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This isto be distinguished from electrical heater probes commonly used in hotwater tanks which usually often reach temperatures of 1,000 degreesFahrenheit. It is preferable that the heater probe not exceed 300 to 500degrees Fahrenheit because fat burns at a temperature of between 300 and500 degrees Fahrenheit and it is desirable to avoid any burning of thefat .

Also, in communication with chamber 18 adjacent the lowest pointthereof, is a recirculation conduit 36 which in turn is connected to apump 38, a three-way removal or sprayer valve 40, and a back pressurevalve 42. Extending upwardly from back pressure valve 42 is anupstanding conduit 44 which has a recirculation outlet 46 at the upperend thereof.

Removal or sprayer valve 40 is connected to a removal conduit 48 whichleads to a spray nozzle 50 (FIG. 1).

A thermostat 52 and a temperature gauge 54 are inserted into bottom wall16 and are adapted to sense the temperature of the fat within chamber18. The thermostat 52 is electrically connected to the heater probe 28so as to control the actuation and deactuation of the heater probe 28 inresponse to the temperature of the fat which the thermostat senseswithin the chamber 18. Thermostat 52 helps keep the probe at atemperature of from 300-500 degrees Fahrenheit so that the fat will notburn.

In operation, the thermostat 52 causes the heater probe 28 to beactuated thereby causing heater element 30 to heat the fat withinchamber 18. When the fat reaches the desired temperature (preferablybetween 100 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit) the thermostat 52 causes theheater probe to turn off, but it reactuates the heater probe in theevent that the temperature of the fat drops below a predetermined level.When it is desired to apply the fat to animal feed, valve 40 is openedthereby providing access from conduit 36. Actuation of pump 38 causesfat to be pumped from the bottom of chamber 18 through conduit 36 valve40 and conduit 48 to nozzle 50. The back pressure valve 42 prevents thefat from being pumped upwardly through conduit 44 whenever valve 40 isopen. The fat is then sprayed onto the animal feed 46 which can then beconveyed by any suitable conveyor 58 to a feed container or bin 60.

After the spraying operation has been complete, valve 40 is closed so asto prevent fluid from passing into removal conduit 48. In this positionvalve 40 permits fat to be pumped upwardly through back pressure valve42, conduit 44 and outwardly through outlet 46. This causes the fat tobe circulated from the bottom of the tank and redeposited at the top ofthe tank. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a hardened or solidified layer 62 offat often forms at the top of the fat reservoir within chamber 18.However, by continually recirculating the fat from the bottom of thetank to the top it is possible to maintain the fat in a substantiallywell mixed and liquid condition. This also prevents the bridging of thesolidified layer 62 since the weight of the fat being deposited on thetop of the layer 62 causes it to fall and be melted as it is presseddownwardly toward heater elements 30.

An access door 64 is provided in side wall 14 so that it is possible togain access to compartment 20 and operate the valves or make repairs tothe various components below wall 16.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a modified form of the invention. Many of thecomponents are identical to the components shown in FIGS. 1-3, andtherefore the same numerals are used to designate corresponding parts.Instead of using the electrical heater probe 28, a helical coiled tube66 is positioned adjacent bottom wall 16. Tube 66 is helically shapedand is mounted upon support brackets 68 which rest upon the cone shapedbottom wall 16. Tube 66 is connected to a hot water heater tank 70within compartment 20. Leading from tank 70 is a hot water pipe 72 (FIG.6) which is connected to helical tube 66 at the upper end thereof. Atthe lower end of tube 66 is a return conduit 74 which extends downwardlyto a pump 76 which in turn is connected to heater tank 70. Thus, the hotwater, or if desired, steam, can be pumped upwardly through pipe 72 tocoil 66 and then downwardly through pipe 74 and pump 76 to the tank 70again. It is possible to use either hot water or steam in this system.Preferably the temperature within the tube 66 is approximately 160degrees Fahrenheit and this will maintain the fat at a temperature ofapproximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit which is preferred. The fat willbegin to set up at approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefore itis desirable to keep the fat above that temperature.

Referring to FIG. 6 a bleed off stem 80 is connected to the upper end ofpipe 72 and includes a removable cap 82, which when removed permits thebleeding of trapped air from the pipe 72 and the coil 66.

The present invention provides a simple means for storing the fat andfor maintaining it in a liquid state so that it can be sprayed on thegrain at the desired time. The placing of the heater probe 28 at thelowest point in the tank permits the heating of the fat at this criticalpoint so that it can be drained away. Furthermore, by recirculating thefat it is possible to overcome any bridging effect which occurs at 62,since they weight of the recirculated fat will cause the bridgedhardened layer 62 to break and fall downwardly where it will be meltedand liquified. Thus, it can be seen that the device accomplishes atleast all of its stated objectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage tank assembly for bulk fatcomprising:an upstanding tank having a top wall, side walls and a bottomwall defining a tank chamber for containing said fat, said bottom walltapering downwardly to an outlet opening located at the lowest pointwithin said chamber for permitting said fat to drain outwardly throughsaid outlet opening by gravity; first valve means movable between aclosed position preventing said fat from exiting said chamber throughsaid outlet opening and an open position permitting said fat to exitsaid chamber through said outlet opening; heater means within saidchamber adjacent said bottom wall of said tank, said heater means beingcapable of heating said fat to a temperature of between 100 degreesFahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit; a recirculation circuitcomprising a first conduit in communication with the interior of saidchamber adjacent said lowest point thereof, a second conduit connectedto said first conduit and having a recirculation outlet within saidchamber adjacent the upper end thereof and pump means within saidrecirculation circuit for pumping said fat adjacent said lowest point ofsaid chamber upwardly through said first and second conduits andoutwardly through said recirculation outlet adjacent said upper end ofsaid chamber; a fat removal conduit in communication with saidrecirculation circuit; a sprayer valve within said removal conduit andmovable from a closed position preventing fat from passing through saidremoval conduit to an open position permitting said fat to pass throughsaid removal conduit; temperature control means having a temperaturesensing means with said chamber for sensing the temperature of said fatwithin said chamber, said temperature control means being connected tosaid heater means for causing said heater means to maintain said fatwithin said chamber between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degreesFahrenheit.
 2. A storage tank assembly according to claim 1 where saidheater means comprises a tubular coil within said chamber adjacent saidbottom wall, and supply means for supplying heated water to said tube ata temperature sufficient to cause said fat within said chamber to bebetween 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
 3. A storagetank assembly according to claim 2 wherein said supply means comprises ahot water heater and a water pump for circulating hot water from saidheater to said tubular coil.
 4. A storage tank according to claim 2wherein said tubular coil includes a plurality of helical revolutionsand follows a path adjacent to said tapered bottom wall.
 5. A storagetank according to claim 1 wherein said heater means comprises anelongated electrical probe having a lower end attached to said bottomwall adjacent said lowest point thereof and having an upper endextending upwarding into said chamber, said electrical probe beingelectrically actuatable to heat said fat within said chamber.
 6. Astorage tank assembly according to claim 1 wherein said side walls ofsaid tank extend downwardly below said bottom wall so as to define acompartment below said bottom wall, said pump means, said first valvemeans, and said sprayer valve being within said compartment.
 7. Astorage tank assembly according to claim 3 wherein said side walls ofsaid tank extend downwardly below said bottom wall so as to define acompartment below said bottom wall, said pump means, said first valvemeans, said sprayer valve and said hot water heater being within saidcompartment.
 8. A storage tank assembly according to claim 7 whereinsaid top wall includes vent means therein for permitting the escape ofgases from said chamber.
 9. A method for using a storage tank assemblyto apply fat to animal feed, said storage fat assembly comprising anupstanding tank having a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall taperingdownwardly to an outlet opening located at the lowest point within saidchamber for permitting said fat to drain outwardly through said outletopening by gravity; first valve means movable between a closed positionpreventing said fat from exiting said chamber through said outletopening and an open position permitting said fat to exit said chamberthrough said outlet opening; heater means within said chamber adjacentsaid bottom wall of said tank, said heater means being capable ofheating said fat to a temperature of between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and160 degrees Fahrenheit; a recirculation circuit comprising a firstconduit in communication with the interior of said chamber adjacent saidlowest point thereof, a second conduit connected to said first conduitand having a recirculation outlet within said chamber adjacent the upperend thereof and pump means within said recirculation circuit for pumpingsaid fat adjacent said lowest point of said chamber upwardly throughsaid first and second conduits and outwardly through said recirculationoutlet adjacent said upper end of said chamber; a fat removal conduit incommunication with said recirculation circuit; a sprayer valve withinsaid removal conduit and movable from a closed position preventing fatfrom passing through said removal conduit to an open position permittingsaid fat to pass through said removal conduit; temperature control meanshaving a temperature sensing means with said chamber for sensing thetemperature of said fat within said chamber, said methodcomprising:placing bulk fat within said chamber; heating said bulk fatwith said heater means until said fat reaches a temperature of from 100degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees Fahrenheit whereupon said fat is in aliquid state; recirculating said fat from bottom point of said tankthrough said recirculation circuit through said recirculation outlet atsaid top of said tank; opening said sprayer valve to its said openposition whereby said fat will be directed through said fat removalconduit; spraying said fat from said fat removal conduit onto saidanimal feed.